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D. 0. WILGUS &- 0. D, JOHNSON. Spring Support for Carriage-Bows.

No. 225,738. Patented Mar. 23. 1880.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DANIEL O. WILGUS AND CHARLES D. JOHNSON, OF MARSHALLTOWN, IOWA, ASSIGNORS TO THEMSELVES AND SAMUEL P. KNISELY, OF

SAME PLACE.

SPRING-SUPPORT FOR CARRIAGE-BOWS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 225,738, dated March 23, 1880.

Application filed October 30, 1879.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that we, DANIEL 0. WILGUS and CHARLES D. JOHNSON, of Marshalltown, Marshall county, in the State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sprin g-Supports for Carriage-Bows, of which the following is a specification.

As ordinarily constructed, the bows resting when the back is thrown down upon a solid stop, the whole weight of the crumpled leather and metal in the top, being concentrated on the point at each side that rests on the stop, is

liable to bend the bow and induce deformity and weakness in the whole work. The efforts which have been heretofore made to avoid the evil have strengthened the bow and distributed the strain along a considerable length, but they have not much lessened the strain by any elastic action. Even if room was left for elastic yielding of the support the spring has been confined rigidly, or nearly so, at both ends, and could not well develop its elastic property.

We provide a spring on each side, which is bent to adapt it to serve as a spring and is only confined by one end. The other end is shaped to fit saddlewise under the bow, so as to be kept in line, while it is entirely free to slide endwise as the spring increases and lessens its curvature. We also provide asoft and yielding cushion in the interior of such saddle, which lessens the tendency to abrade or mark the how.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification, and represent what we consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

Figure 1 is a general side view of the entire carriage. The dotted lines show the position in which the improvement is effective. Fig. 2 is a side view of one of the springs and the immediately adjacent part of the rear bow on a larger scale. Fig. 3 is a cross-section on mm, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a cross-section on y y, Fig. 2; and Fig. 5 is a cross-section on 2 2, Fig. 2.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in all the figures.

A is the hindmost of a set of bows turning on a pivot at each side of an ordinary body. The leather of the top is marked B, and may be cut, applied, and lined in any ordinary or suitable manner. When the top is thrown back and downward by the collapsing of the usual braces or supports D, the rearmost or hindmost bow, A, rests on a firm stop, m, at each side of the body, all in the ordinary manner, except for the provisions now to be described.

G G are springs extended along the rear edge of the bow A at the points where it bears on the stops m. hen the top is up the springs G are greatly inclined, but when the top is down they are nearly level. We will describe them in the latter position.

The forward end of each takes a firm hold around the bow and is tightened in position by the pinching-screw H. The rear end of each is deeply grooved on the upper side to easily receive the edge of the bow A, and to hold itself reliably in position thereby, while allowing the spring to glide forward and back under the bow freely. The spring Gis considerably bent, so that the middle is lower than either end. It rests on the stop m by its middle and most depressed or bellied part.

A description of one spring G will suffice for both. As the carriage jolts over inequalities in the road the springs G G yield and lessen their curvature with each blow, increasing it again immediately after. The free condition of the saddle-shaped or grooved ends G G allows this to be efi'ected by an easy sliding motion under the bow A.

To still further promote this sliding movement we place in the bottom of the groove in each spring G a layer of felt or fur, J. This being retained by any suitable cement or other means with the part next the spring G fixed thereto, the part more free affords a sufficient rolling or yielding action to accommodate the endwise movement with little or no rubbing against the bow A.

When the carriage is in use with the top up the springs G G stand ready for action, but are not directly useful. So soon as the top is let down to rest on the stops m the springs G G are partially straightened by the strain, and

' the bow by their elastic action, the grooved thenceforward serve to lessen the strain on end G of each sliding freely forward and backward, guided by the bow A, which it supports, and moving the easier by virtue of supportingit upon the felt J.

Modificationsmay be made in the forms without departing from the characteristics of the invention.

Springs have been heretofore applied to carriage-bows by clamps analogous to ours; but the spring is clamped at both ends. Springs have alsoflbeen applied to the same and other articles by riveting in various ways; but such obviously weakens the parts and is particularly objectionable on a carriage-bow.

We claim as our invention- The spring G, secured to the bow A at one end only the opposite end being provided with semi-cylindrical portion G, combined 20 with the bow A, clamp H, fibrous material J to lessen friction, and stop m, as and for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands this 24th day of October, 1879, in 2 5 the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

DANIEL O. WILGUS. CHARLES D. JOHNSON.

Witnesses E. 0. 000K, S. P. KNIsELY. 

